Set adrift in its own dreamy archipelago in the balmy Gulf Stream, this rich little oasis of pink-sand beaches and sparkling blue waters is simultaneously slightly British, slightly American, and very Bermudian. Whether you've come to unwind on Elbow Beach, shop among the pretty pastels and whites of historic Hamilton, or discover 400 years of history at Fort St. Catherine in St. George, you'll discover a pleasant mix of formal British culture dressed in a pair of Bermuda shorts.
Things to Do
Sit by the bustling waterfront and take in the capital scene in Hamilton or step back in time in St. George. Take a morning swim with the kids at sheltered Tobacco Bay or a sunset dip at Elbow Beach. The clear waters and starched white coves of Warwick Parish are made for scuba diving and snorkeling. Marvel at the subterranean beauty of Crystal Caves. Away from the beach, discover the Verdmont Historic House Museum, with its period furnishings, or walk along the Bermuda Railway Trail for a closer look at the island's exotic wildlife.
Shopping
All sorts of shops are clustered along Front Street in Hamilton. Under the atrium in The Emporium, you can browse boutiques and jewelry stores, or stroll the Royal Naval Dockyard area on Ireland Island for crafts and island pottery. You can watch local artisans at work at the Bermuda Arts Centre. Comparison shop at the Somers Wharf & Branch Stores, along Water Street, for better prices than their Hamilton counterparts.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Many of Bermuda's bars and clubs hug the busy waterfront at Front Street in Hamilton, where Victorian-era balconies offer Atlantic views. The nightlife scene continues in the streets leading uphill from the harbor. Many hotels host steel-drum or calypso bands, or you can head to LV's Piano Jazz Lounge, where live jazz is performed nightly. The little port of St. George and adjoining St. David's Island are loaded with pubs. Enjoy a pint at White Horse Tavern, the oldest pub in St. George.
Restaurants & Dining
Bermuda embraces a wide swath of American and European cuisines, but fresh seafood is still the default -- and best -- choice. Savor spiny lobster and wahoo steak in the elegant dining rooms of Sandys Parish or sink your teeth into shark hash and Bermudian rockfish in the restaurants along Hamilton's Front Street. For a cool treat, try the ice cream at island favorite Bailey's Ice Cream & Food D'Lites Restaurant in Hamilton Parish.
Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard ramparts (©iStockphoto.com/Al Wekelo)
